UAW History
What does UAW stand for?
United Auto Workers
The process by which unions and employers negotiate contracts regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions.
What color shirts did striking workers wear at the picket lines?
Red
Fain created which new strike model?
Stand up strike
Who are the big three automakers?
Ford, Stellantis, and GM (General Motors)
Name two sectors of workers that the UAW represents.
Automakers, hospitals, universities, and non-profits.
What is a sit down strike?
A type of strike where workers stop working and stay inside the workplace to prevent replacement workers from being brought in. It was famously used by the UAW in 1937.
In what month did the historic stand up strike begin?
September
Fain critiqued which president's attack on federal workers?
President Trump
In the tiktok video shown earlier, what are the striking workers chanting?
"Corporate greed"
How many local unions are part of the UAW?
More than 600.
What is a stand up strike?
A strategic strike method used in 2023, inspired by the historical "sit-down strike." Instead of all workers walking out at once, the UAW staggered strikes at specific plants to increase pressure over time.
In what month did contract negotiations first begin?
July
What made Shawn Fain's election as UAW president different from previous elections?
He was the first ever directly elected UAW president
Which two major political figures visited the striking UAW workers?
Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden
Name two laws that the UAW historically helped to pass
Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965), Fair Housing Act, laws against discrimination(women, elders, disability), Medicare, Medicaid, OSHA, the Employee Retirement Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act
What is contract ratification?
The process where union members vote to approve or reject a proposed contract agreement with their employer.
Name three demands of the striking UAW workers
Eliminate tiers.
Big wage increases
Restore COLA
Defined benefit pension for all workers
Re establish retireee pension for all workers
Right to strike over plant closures
Working family protection program
End abuse of temp workers
More paid time off to be with families
Signally increase retiree pay
Finish the quote: "We aren’t Democrats or Republicans. We're..."
"Trade unionists."
What does COLA stand for?
Cost of Living Adjustment